Ride share helmet safety compliance

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to helmet safety compliance systems for use in personal transportation ride-share systems. A rider safety compliance system, may include a personal transport upon which a user can be transported, a physical lock mechanism securely mounted on the personal transport and mechanically adapted to lock and secure a helmet, and a processor adapted to release the helmet from the physical lock mechanism as a pre-determined action for allowing the user to activate the personal transport.

CLAIM TO PRIORITY

This application is a continuation-in-part of International ApplicationNo. PCT/US2019/030351, filed May 2, 2019, which claims the benefit ofU.S. provisional application 62/669,062, filed May 9, 2018, each ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Field

This disclosure relates to ensuring safety compliance regarding helmetuse in ride shares.

Description of the Related Art

Personal transportation options in ride sharing environments have anumber of challenges. Some personal transportation involves usingdevices that should only be operated while wearing a helmet. Deliveringhelmets in such systems is a challenge and could be improved.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to safety compliance inride-share models.

These and other systems, methods, objects, features, and advantages ofthe present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe following detailed description of the preferred embodiment and thedrawings.

All documents mentioned herein are hereby incorporated in their entiretyby reference. References to items in the singular should be understoodto include items in the plural, and vice versa, unless explicitly statedotherwise or clear from the text. Grammatical conjunctions are intendedto express any and all disjunctive and conjunctive combinations ofconjoined clauses, sentences, words, and the like, unless otherwisestated or clear from the context.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The disclosure and the following detailed description of certainembodiments thereof may be understood by reference to the followingfigures:

FIG. 1 illustrates a personal transport with a helmet system inaccordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a helmet with sensor system in accordance with theprinciples of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 depicts a foldable helmet.

FIG. 4 shows an isometric view of one embodiment of a sanitation devicecomprising a sanitation item dispenser and disposal receptacle.

FIG. 5 shows an isometric view of the sanitation device of FIG. 4 in theopen position.

FIG. 6 shows a side cross sectioned view of the sanitation device ofFIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The personal transportation market has become a very important part oflocal travel. It fills a gap for a rider or user traveling a relativelyshort distance in a city. There are two primary business modules for thedelivery of personal transportation systems delivery for the bikes andscooters. The first involves a dedicated dock where the personaltransport (e.g. a bike) is locked and charged. In this model, a userneeds to go to the docking area to rent the personal transport and thendrop off and re-lock the bike at another docking station near the user'sdestination. The second involves a dockless system. The personaltransport (e.g. bikes or scooters) are charged and then distributed inareas around the city at night. Users find the personal transports viaGPS through a phone application or just find one physically near them.The phone application (“app”) is used to unlock the system and then therider may leave the bike or scooter in a safe place wherever they wantat their destination. The inventors have discovered a serious problemwith both models, but in particular the second model. The inventorslearned that there is no convenient way to provide helmets or othersafety equipment or safety compliance systems with the bikes or scootersbecause they are constantly being dropped off at different locations.The inventors have developed a number of systems to resolve thisproblem.

In embodiments, a personal transport has a locking mechanism that ispermanently mounted such that a helmet with a mating locking mechanismcan be attached and locked. The locking mechanism acts like a key toactivate the personal transport. The user walks up to the personaltransport and activates an unlock process (e.g. on her phone through anapp) and the helmet unlocks from the personal transport. Once the helmetis unlocked or removed from the personal transport, the user may then beable to operate the personal transport. In embodiments, a further stepmay be required before the personal transport is activated. The helmetmay be required to be mounted on the user's head. The helmet may have asensor to detect that it has been mounted and/or secured to the user'shead before activating the personal transport. Similarly, the personaltransport or lock may contain a camera to detect a helmet is being worn,such as through a computer vision system. In another embodiment, theuser may have to acknowledge that she is using the lockable helmet oranother helmet (e.g. personal helmet) before the personal transport willactivate. The acknowledgment may be done through the phone app or on thepersonal transport or helmet, for example.

In embodiments, the phone application may be used to find the locationof a personal transport, activate the personal transport, unlock safetyequipment on the personal transport, etc. There may be a usercoordination process such as loading a code manually on the personaltransport that was received by the user through the phone application orvice-versa. This coordination may also be automated between the user'sphone application and the personal transport. For example, once thepersonal transport is in Bluetooth, or other protocol such as RFID orNFC, range, the user's phone and the personal transport may connect andinteroperate. The interoperability may use the phone's security featuressuch as providing a code to unlock, fingerprint to unlock, facialrecognition to unlock, etc. For example, to unlock the helmet from thepersonal transport, the user may use the phone's facial recognitionsystem, code input system, fingerprint recognition system, etc.

In embodiments, the personal transport may be unlocked without a phoneapplication. For example, the personal transport may be connected to theInternet and the user may be pre-approved to take the personaltransport. The personal transport may have a code, fingerprint, facialrecognition or other security system arranged to recognize the user inaccordance with the user's per-approved profile. Other mechanisms suchas a device having a short-range communication protocol such as NFC orRFID.

Sensor systems in the personal transport, the user's phone, the helmetand/or other systems may be used to monitor the performance of therider. The sensor systems may track the user's speed, compliance withlaws, compliance with areas in which the personal transport is allowedto be used, etc. The sensor data may be used to generate a userperformance history or profile. The profile may be used to providefeedback to the user, place the user in a category of rider, etc. Thecategory may be used to effect insurance rates, fines, incentives, etc.for the user. The sensors could also detect impact or severity of saidimpact.

An aspect of the present disclosure provides a rider safety compliancesystem for the users of a personal transport. Personal transports tendto be designed for convenient inexpensive short trips. Many types ofpersonal transports should only be ridden with a helmet as a safetydevice. This is because many personal transports move quickly but bytheir nature are not designed to protect the user's head in an accident.The need for a helmet gets more complicated in a sharing or rental modelwhere the check-in and check-out processes for the personal transportsare not supervised by people at the pick-up and drop-off points. It ismuch easier to provide a user with safety equipment in a moretraditional rental model where bikes, for example, are picked up at astore because the service provider can be sure to offer the safetyequipment. In the sharing model, where personal transports are scatteredthroughout an area, delivering safety equipment is a significantchallenge. In embodiments, the personal transport safety compliancesystem involves providing a personal transport in a share model andincluding a helmet that is locked to the personal transport. The lockingmechanism can be released by the user in order to activate the personaltransport. The user may find the personal transport through an app ontheir phone, or other personal communication system, and then activatethe personal transport. The activation may involve submitting a requestthrough the app or the personal transport itself and then, following anagreement on the payment for the rental/share, the user may be directedto disconnect the helmet from the lock to continue. Once the userremoves the helmet from the personal transport the activation processmay continue to provide the user with access to an operational personaltransport. The user may, as an alternative to removing the helmet,accept certain terms and conditions from the provider of the personaltransport that permits the user to continue the activation processwithout taking the helmet.

In embodiments, the rider safety compliance system includes a processorin communication with a phone, wherein the phone has an applicationadapted to locate the personal transport, communicatively connect withthe processor, and unlock the helmet to activate the personal transportfor a ride. In embodiments, the application locates the personaltransport through an electronic triangulation location of the personaltransport and the phone. In embodiments, the helmet is a compactable orfoldable helmet 302 that is compacted while stored in position on thepersonal transport and is unfolded to be worn by the user. The foldablehelmet 302 may fold along any number of fold lines 304 or hinges. Inembodiments, the helmet is not compactable. In embodiments, the helmetis adjustable such that it can be adjusted to fit different head sizes.

In embodiments, the rider safety compliance system may involve providingaccess to a shared or rented personal transport upon which a user can betransported where the personal transport has a physical lock mechanismsecurely mounted on the personal transport and mechanically adapted tolock and secure a helmet. The personal transport and/or lock may includea processor adapted to release the helmet from the lock mechanism,wherein the user controls the processor through a software platform thatgranted the user permission to activate the personal transport fortemporary use. In embodiments, this provides a way for an owner of thepersonal transport to be sure that the user has access to a helmet. Inembodiments, the locking and unlocking of the helmet may not be trackedfor compliance with safety protocols. In embodiments, the lockingprovides the user with a helmet and it provides the owner with a way ofunderstanding if the helmet has been returned to the personal transport.The lock may be programmed to provide the owner with information on thepresence of the helmet. In embodiments, the user receives a personal usecode to unlock the helmet. In embodiments, the user unlocks the helmetthrough a ride-share software application operating on a personalcommunication system of the user.

In embodiments, the physical lock mechanism is on the helmet, as ahelmet lock 208, and mechanically adapted to lock and secure the helmetto the personal transport. The helmet may include a processor adapted torelease the helmet's lock mechanism from the personal transport, whereinthe user controls the processor through a software platform that grantedthe user permission to activate the personal transport for temporaryuse.

FIG. 1 illustrates a personal transport 102 with a helmet mounting lock104 and a mounted helmet 108. Two styles of personal transport areillustrated, a scooter type 102 at the top, and a bike type 102 at thebottom. A personal transport can be any type of device intended to movea person relatively short distances. Many personal transports areelectrically driven devices that are either charged in a dock, chargedin place, or removed and charged remotely. A personal transport may be auser operated device, user assisted operated device, autonomouslyoperated device, etc.

A user may find and activate a personal transport through a user'spersonal communication device, such as a phone, watch, glasses,computer, laptop, tablet, personal assistant (e.g. Siri, Google Home,Amazon Alexa), etc.

A personal transport may be provided through a share model. The sharemodel may be operated by a business that owns and/or is responsible forownership of a number of personal transports. The business maystrategically position the personal transports throughout an area (e.g.through a busy part of a city or town). The personal transports may bedocked in charging/holding stations, dockless, etc. Users may then shareor rent a personal transport by checking it out. This may be donethrough a personal communication device of the user, completed at thepersonal transport drop area through a separate system, through a userinterface on the personal transport, etc. The user may find availablepersonal transports near the user through an app on the user's personalcommunication device. The personal transports, or related devices, mayinclude location systems (e.g. GPS) and the personal communication mayalso self-locate (e.g. with GPS) such that the user can obtaindirections to the personal transports. Once the user arrives at thepersonal transport, the user can check it out by completing a check-outprocess. This provides the user with the personal transport for alimited possession period. During the possession period, the personaltransport is essentially the responsibility of the user, through thesharing/renting terms and conditions, and the user is supposed to returnthe personal transport to the owner business at the end of the user'spossession period.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a rider safetycompliance system for a personal transport that includes monitoring auser activity through a helmet sensor system. In embodiments, thecompliance system includes a sensor system on a helmet. The sensorsystem is in communication with a processor on the helmet such that dataacquired from the sensor system can be transmitted to another device. Inembodiments, the sensor data is indicative that the user is wearing thehelmet. Data indicative of the user wearing, wearing, properly orimproperly wearing the helmet, etc. may be communicated to the personaltransport, to the user's personal communication system, to a serversystem that is managing the share/rent process, etc. In embodiments, thesystem is adapted to activate the personal transport for riding by auser following receipt of sensor information that indicates that thehelmet is being worn by the user. This may be considered a necessarycompliance step in the check-out process, during the user's possessionperiod, when operating the personal transport, when the motor in thepersonal transport is active, when the personal transport indicates thatit is in use, etc. In embodiments, the user may be presented with anopt-out where the user acknowledges the risks associated with riding thepersonal transport without wearing a helmet, or elects to use the user'sown helmet, etc. to continue the rideability during the user'spossession period without using the helmet with the sensor system.

FIG. 2 illustrates a helmet 108 with a sensor system 204 and a processor206. The sensor system 204 may be any type of sensor system adapted todetect whether the user is wearing the helmet 108. For example, thesensor system 204 may include an infrared sensor to detect the heat ofthe user's head, a proximity detector to detect a position of the user'shead, an active energy emission system, a passive sensor system, acombination of sensors, etc. The processor 206 may be any type ofcomputer processor adapted to receive data from the sensor system 204and communicate the data to another device. For example, the processormay include a CPU, FPGA, microprocessor, DSP, etc. and it maycommunicate with the other device through a wireless or wired protocol.The wireless protocol may include a short-range protocol (e.g.Bluetooth, RFID, NFC), mid or long-range protocol (e.g. WiFi, cellular).

In embodiments, the sensor system may be adapted to be removably andreplaceably mounted to the helmet by a user of a personal transport.This arrangement can be useful in a situation where the user elects touse her own helmet. This allows a user to unlock the personal transportin a way described herein with the helmet compliance system, however,the user gets to mount the sensor and processor on the user's ownhelmet. In embodiments, the sensor system is securely mounted on thepersonal transport in a location accessible to the user such that theuser can remove the sensor system from the personal transport and securethe sensor system to the helmet. The sensor system may be locked on thepersonal transport and an unlocking process similar to the onesdescribed herein with respect to the fully integrated helmet may be usedto unlock and release the sensor system so the user can unlock it, mountit on her own helmet, and continue in the possession, check-in, orcheck-out processes. In embodiments, the sensor system is locked to thepersonal transport and the user unlocks the sensor for use through auser interface on the personal transport. In embodiments, the sensorsystem is locked to the personal transport and the user unlocks thesensor for use through a user interface on a phone.

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a rider safety compliancesystem that monitors the sensor system while the personal transport isactivated to monitor whether the user is wearing the helmet. This allowsthe owner of the personal transport to monitor whether the user iswearing the helmet in compliance with the ride share terms andconditions. In embodiments, the processor communicates data indicativeof a helmet wearing status and the data is received at a server remotefrom the personal transport so it can be monitored, manipulated, storedand used. In embodiments, the data is used to generate a personalcompliance profile of the user. The compliance profile may be used todetermine how to regulate the personal transport for the user. Forexample, the personal transport's maximum capable speed may be reducedor regulated if the compliance profile indicates that the user has notworn the helmet in compliance with a standard. The personal transportmay de-activate if the compliance profile indicates that the user hasnot worn the helmet in compliance with a standard. The data may alsoapply to future shares or rentals from the user because the personalprofile, for example, may indicate that the user has been out ofcompliance in the past. Further, in embodiments, the processor may causean alarm to activate (e.g. on the personal transport or helmet) in theevent the data indicates that user is not wearing the helmet incompliance with the regulations or standards. In embodiments, the sensorsystem may be adapted to record data indicative of an impact of thehelmet with an object.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to monitoring theriding behavior of a user of a shared or rented personal transport. Inembodiments, a personal transport may have a sensor system adapted totrack a performance of the personal transport as compared to a standard,wherein the sensor system is adapted to track a position of the personaltransport as compared to a pre-defined area where compliant use has beendetermined, adherence of a use of the personal transport to rules ofpathways defined by a municipality, compliance with acceptable practicesof operating the personal transport.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to how the personaltransport and/or share software system identifies the user as theapproved user. As disclosed elsewhere herein, the user may have a userinterface on a personal communication system (e.g. a phone) and thatinterface may facilitate access to the personal transport, helmet, andother features. In embodiments, the personal transport has a sensorsystem 110 that is adapted to recognize the user. The user's fingerprints, facial features, personal code (e.g. permanent code provided bythe share system that remains persistent while the user is signed up tothe sharing platform, can be refreshed to get a new one upon userinitiation, etc.), newly received personal code (e.g. a code set to theuser through the personal communication app that can be used at apersonal transport) may be accessible to the personal transport throughthe share-system. The personal biometric information may be stored at aserver, for example, and the personal transport may have a sensor systemadapted to be used by the user for verification. For example, if theuser's facial features are stored at a server accessible by the personaltransport, the personal transport may have a facial recognition sensorsystem to read the facial features of the user such that they can becompared to the stored features to obtain access to the ride. Inembodiments, the rider personal recognition system includes a personaltransport adapted with a biometric sensor, wherein the biometric sensoris pre-programmed with data indicative of a user to recognize the userbased on interaction with the biometric sensor, wherein, upon userrecognition based on the interaction, the personal transport activatesfor availability to ride.

In embodiments, the personal identification system (e.g. finger print,facial recognition, voice recognition) on the user's personalcommunication system (e.g. phone) may be used in concert with theride-share system to obtain access to the personal transport. The usermay, once prompted by the ride-share user interface, use the phone'sverification sensor system to log into and/or access the personaltransport.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a situation wherethe user, of a personal transport in a ride-share/rental arrangement,either has his own helmet or decides he would rather not ride with ahelmet and will assume the risks. In embodiments, the rider safelycompliance system may include providing a personal transport upon whicha user can be transported where the personal transport has a physicallock mechanism securely mounted on the personal transport andmechanically adapted to lock and secure a helmet. The system includesproviding a user interface adapted to provide the user with informationto activate the personal transport, the information comprising averification step indicating that the user does or does not want thehelmet released. In embodiments, a processor on the personal transportis adapted to release the helmet from the locking mechanism after theuser verifies that the user wants the helmet released. In embodiments,the user interface requires that the user verify that the user will usethe user's own helmet when riding the personal transport.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to confirming that auser has returned a helmet and/or reminding the user to return thehelmet in a ride-share/rental system. In embodiments, a helmet returncompliance system 112 includes a proximity detection system thatmonitors the helmet's proximity to a personal transport. The system mayalert the user through the ride-share application that the user hastaken the helmet outside of a normal use zone (e.g. a distance from thepersonal transport defined by the owner of the personal transport) forthe helmet as indicated by the proximity detection system. Inembodiments, the system (e.g. the personal transport, user interface, orhelmet) includes an alarm that activates when the helmet is outside ofthe normal use zone. In embodiments, the system detects that the helmetis more than a greater than a predetermined distance from the personaltransport the alarm is activated. In embodiments, the alarm is operableon a user's personal communication system (e.g. an alarm on the user'sphone as controlled through the ride-share application). In embodiments,the alarm is in the helmet. In embodiments, the alarm is on the personaltransport. In embodiments, the alarm will not activate if the personaltransport has not been deactivated and returned to the possession of anowner of the personal transport. This can prevent frustration by theuser in the event that they want to carry the helmet around while theyare still in possession of the personal transport.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to helmet returncompliance in a ride-share system. In embodiments, the ride-sharepersonal transport is accessible through a user interface on a user'spersonal communication system. A helmet may be provided wherein thehelmet is digitally assigned to the personal transport for trackingpurposes. The return compliance system may be adapted to initiate atermination process for the user's possession period after the usersubmits information through the user interface that the user's ride iscomplete and the user is returning the personal transport. The returnprocess may require that the helmet be replaced on the personaltransport before the user's possession period will be terminated. In theevent the helmet is not returned, the user may continue to be charged arental fee because the personal transport may be considered out ofservice without the helmet. The user may be provided with an option toexplain why the helmet could not be returned.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to maintaining a helmetin a ride-share system. If a helmet gets damaged in some way, it may nolonger be compliant for use. The compliance may be measured by agovernment regulated standard, the owner's standard or otherwise. Helmetimpact(s) can affect the helmet's ability for future head protection. Inembodiments, the helmet includes an impact sensor and a processor. Theprocessor may be adapted to communicate from the helmet when the helmethas suffered an impact, as indicated by impact data from the impactsensor. The processor may also be adapted to analyze the impact data andto decide if the helmet should be taken out of service because ofpotential damage to the helmet. The processor on the helmet may be incommunication with other processors and the decision on helmet conditionand compliance may be made at the helmet, personal transport, serversystem operating the ride-share, etc. In embodiments, if the helmet isto be taken out of service, a personal transport that is assigned foruse with the helmet is also taken out of service until the helmet isrepaired or replaced.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to an opt-out for theuser. In embodiments, a personal transport is provided within aride-share system and the personal transport comes with a helmet. Thepersonal transport may be provided in a ride-sharing system where thepersonal transport is owned by a party and the user of the personaltransport compensates the owner to use the personal transport for aperiod of time. The user may be provided access to the personaltransport through a user interface. The user interface may provide theuser with an acknowledgement indicating that the user has chosen not touse the helmet and has either assumed the risk of riding without thehelmet or is using another helmet. In embodiments, the helmet isattached to the personal transport and the personal transport is adaptedto not be activated until either the helmet is removed from the personaltransport or until the personal transport receives the opt-outacknowledgement.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to providing users of aride-sharing personal transport system with information about the typesand sizes of helmets that are available with the personal transports.The user may be presented with a map indicating where personaltransports are available. Each instance of a personal transport on themap may be accompanied with information about associated helmet(s). Themap may contain information about the helmet that is attached to apersonal transport. The map may provide guidance on where to pick up ahelmet for use with the personal transport. In embodiments, theride-sharing system has a software application operating on a personalcommunication system of a user (e.g. phone, watch) and the softwareapplication includes a user interface adapted to locate the personalcommunication system (e.g. GPS of the phone's location) and availablepersonal transports in an area. The user interface further may provideinformation to the user about which of the available personal transportshave helmets of a size and/or type. The user may also have stored ahelmet size and/or type such that the user sees, possibly highlighted orexclusively, personal transports with his personal preference of helmet.

Because the personal transport and the protective gear is ordinarilyused by multiple users and is ordinarily outside on the street, and,thus, in a dirty environment, the protective gear is subject to dirt andcontamination. Accordingly, in embodiments, the disclosure relates to asanitation device to facilitate hygienic use of the protective gear. Thesanitation device may function in different ways, including, forexample, by dispensing an antimicrobial material in the form of, forexample, a wipe, spray, liquid or gel, or by dispensing a sanitary,protective shield for placement on the user's head or on/in theprotective gear (e.g., helmet), or by irradiating the protective gearwith antimicrobial electromagnetic waves, just to name a few.

In one embodiment, the sanitation device is a dispenser attached toeither the personal transport or the docking station and is configuredto dispense sanitation items. In one embodiment, the sanitation item maybe any item that either deactivates microbes or contains/preventscontamination by microbes. For example, in one embodiment, thesanitation item is a single-use, disposable barrier that can be worn bythe user or applied to the personal transport or protective gear suchthat the barrier is between the user's head and the helmet. In anotherembodiment, the sanitation item may be, for example, an antimicrobialwipe, spray, or packet of sanitizer, which are well known andcommercially available. In one embodiment, the sanitation items arepackaged in quantities to accommodate multiple users for an extendedperiod without restocking.

In one embodiment, the sanitation device comprises a single-use hairguard dispenser 114, which includes a plurality of single-use hairguards, securely mounted to the personal transport such that a user canremove the single-use hair guard and use it in connection with asharable helmet. In embodiments, the personal transport may be providedwith helmet spray cleaner 118 securely mounted to the personal transportsuch that a user can remove the helmet spray cleaner 118 to clean theinside of a sharable helmet. In embodiments, the personal transport maybe provided with a helmet clean wipes container 120, wherein thecontainer contains a plurality of clean wipes, securely mounted to thepersonal transport such that a user can remove a clean wipe from thecontainer 120 to clean the inside of a sharable helmet.

Referring to FIGS. 4-6, a more particular embodiment of a dispenser 400is shown for dispensing sanitation item(s) 408. Although the dispenser400 is illustrated herein dispensing disposable barriers, it should beunderstood that alternative sanitation items may be dispensed,including, for example, antimicrobial wipes or packets of sanitizer,which are well known and commercially available.

In this particular embodiment, the antimicrobial dispenser 400 comprisesa container 401 with two or more isolated cavities 401 a, 401 b fordispensing and disposing of sanitation items 408; a mounting component402 configured to attach to a personal transport and/or protective gear;a pivot or hinge mechanism 403 which allows the container to be openedand closed so the sanitation item(s) can be refilled or removed; aclosure system 404 that allows the container to be locked; an interiorcavity divider 405 to isolate clean sanitation items(s) from usedsanitation items; a dispenser 406 for dispensing the sanitation item(s)408; and a receptacle 407 for disposal of used sanitation item(s). Theseelements are described in greater detail below.

In one embodiment, the container 401 is an injection molded two-parthousing that is durable and weather resistant to withstand variousconditions and environments. Other manufacturing methods include, butare not limited to, vacuum forming, blow molding, rotationally moldingor die casting. In one embodiment, the container housing material is adurable, lightweight, weather resistant and moldable plastic such as apolycarbonate, although other suitable materials may be used, such as,for example, nylon, HDPE, or a lightweight and durable die castablemetal alloy such as aluminum or zinc. Still other materials will beobvious to those of skill in the art in light of this disclosure.

In one embodiment, the mounting component 402 is attached to the backhalf of the container housing and is configured to be attached to asurface or structure of the personal transport, although otherconfigurations will be obvious in light of this disclosure. In oneembodiment, the mounting component is configured to clamp around a postor tube of the personal transport which is then tightened to hold itselfin place. The mounting component may also fit other surface profilesthat include, but are not limited to round, oval, square and flat.Additional methods for mounting may include, but are not limited to, astrap, clasp, permanent adhesives, or some form of welding depending onthe material. Such mounting configurations will be obvious to those ofskill in the art in light of this disclosure.

In one embodiment, the sanitation device includes a pivot or hingemechanism 403 to allow the container halves to open and close so that auser can access the interior cavities of the container to refill and orremove sanitation items without requiring the container to be completelyremoved from the mounting surface. Although a pivot mechanism 403 asshown in FIG. 5, it should be understood that other mechanisms may beused such as latches or resilient interconnecting members. Suchmechanisms will be obvious to those of skill in light of thisdisclosure.

In one embodiment, the sanitation device includes a closure system 404that securely closes and locks the container housing halves togetherpreventing access to the interior contents of the container withoutspecific tools and/or authorization. In one embodiment, the closuresystem is manually operated by use of a tool/key, but an electronicmechanical closure system by use of connected device and or motor couldwork as well. Other methods for the closure system will be obvious tothose of skill in the art in light of this disclosure, and include, forexample, a button lock, a clasp, a latch, a flange, a pin, a spring pin,or a snap.

In one embodiment, the sanitation device includes one or more dividingsurfaces 405 to separate and isolate the individual cavities 401 a, 401b of the container to prevent the clean sanitation items from contactingthe used sanitation items. In one embodiment, the divider is part of thecontainer housing halves but it could be an additional piece thatrequires assembly.

In one embodiment, the dispenser 406 for dispensing clean sanitationitems for use is a simple shelf or spindle for holding/supporting a rollor stack of sanitation item(s) and a slot through which the roll is fedsuch that, as the user pulls one sanitation item from the slot, a secondsanitation item is also pulled along with it into the slot to replace it(similar to how tissues are dispended). Alternative methods fordispensing could include, but are not limited to, a spring (similar tohow napkins are dispensed), gravity, a flap, a door, a button, or anelectronic motor controlled by a connected device.

In one embodiment, the disposal receptacle is a relatively large cavityin the container to enable it to hold multiple used sanitation items. Inone embodiment, the opening for the disposal receptacle cavity is largeenough for a user to place a used sanitation item inside by pushing theused sanitation item through a one-way door so previously-disposed itemscannot fall out. In one embodiment, the sanitation device is configuredto enable removal of the disposed sanitation items by a designatedperson with access to the container closure system.

Rather than relying on a sanitary item, such as an antimicrobial agentor a hygienic barrier, to disinfect or prevent/protect againstcontamination of the equipment, it may be preferable in some embodimentsto irradiate the protective equipment with electromagnetic waves toeliminate microbes. Such irradiation techniques are well-known andinclude, for example, using ultraviolet light and even violet light tosuppress/kill or otherwise deactivate microbes on the protectiveequipment prior to a user wearing it.

In one embodiment, the irradiation sanitation device comprises a holderfor holding the protective gear and an irradiation source configured toirradiate an object held by the holder. In one embodiment, the holder isa closed container, and the irradiation source is configured toirradiate an object in the container only when the container is closed.For example, the container may be similar to the container 401, whichmay be attached to the personal transport or to a docking station. Suchembodiment may be preferred if the radiation source is UV or laser lightor other light which can be detrimental to a user's eyes. If, however, anon-harmful light is used for radiation such as certain frequencies ofviolet light, then the holder may not be a closed container but merelyconfigured to hold the protective gear during the irradiation process.For example, in one embodiment, the holder comprises a clip configuredto clip onto the protective gear and hold the protective gear in apredetermined orientation with respect to the irradiation source. In oneembodiment, the holder and the mounting lock are one in the same. Forexample, in FIG. 1, the holder may be the mounting lock 104, which isconfigured to hold the helmet with the outer surface facing outward andthe inner surface facing inward, and the irradiation source is mountedon the scooter under the helmet and configured to transmit anantimicrobial beam outward and into the interior of the helmet. In suchan embodiment, the helmet may provide sufficient shielding such that aUV, laser or other potentially harmful light may be used without aclosed container. In other words, the helmet may provide sufficientcover to prevent harmful light from escaping and causing eye injury. Insuch an embodiment, it may be preferable to have an interlock to preventthe irradiation source from operating if the helmet is not locked inplace. Still other configurations of the holder will be obvious to thoseof skill in the art in light of this disclosure.

In one embodiment, the irradiation sanitation device is attached to themobile device. Such a configuration is particularly practical if themobile device is battery-operated such that the radiation source has apower supply. To that end, in one embodiment, the irradiating lightsource comprises one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which arehighly efficient and capable of operating on battery power withoutsubstantially diminishing the battery power. Alternatively, theirradiation sanitation device may have its own power supply. (Again, LEDlight sources can operate off of battery power for long durations.) Inanother embodiment, the irradiation sanitation device is attached to adocking station as described above. Given the permanency of the dockingstation and the likelihood of readily available power, such anembodiment facilitates the use of a powerful irradiation device. Stillother embodiments of the irradiation sanitation device will be obviousto those of skill in the art in light of this disclosure.

While only a few embodiments of the present disclosure have been shownand described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that manychanges and modifications may be made thereunto without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present disclosure as described in thefollowing claims. All patent applications and patents, both foreign anddomestic, and all other publications referenced herein are incorporatedherein in their entireties to the full extent permitted by law.

The methods and systems described herein may be deployed in part or inwhole through a machine that executes computer software, program codes,and/or instructions on a processor. The present disclosure may beimplemented as a method on the machine, as a system or apparatus as partof or in relation to the machine, or as a computer program productembodied in a computer readable medium executing on one or more of themachines. In embodiments, the processor may be part of a server, cloudserver, client, network infrastructure, mobile computing platform,stationary computing platform, or other computing platform. A processormay be any kind of computational or processing device capable ofexecuting program instructions, codes, binary instructions, and thelike. The processor may be or may include a signal processor, digitalprocessor, embedded processor, microprocessor, or any variant such as aco-processor (math co-processor, graphic co-processor, communicationco-processor, and the like) and the like that may directly or indirectlyfacilitate execution of program code or program instructions storedthereon. In addition, the processor may enable execution of multipleprograms, threads, and codes. The threads may be executed simultaneouslyto enhance the performance of the processor and to facilitatesimultaneous operations of the application. By way of implementation,methods, program codes, program instructions, and the like describedherein may be implemented in one or more thread. The thread may spawnother threads that may have assigned priorities associated with them;the processor may execute these threads based on priority or any otherorder based on instructions provided in the program code. The processor,or any machine utilizing one, may include non-transitory memory thatstores methods, codes, instructions, and programs as described hereinand elsewhere. The processor may access a non-transitory storage mediumthrough an interface that may store methods, codes, and instructions asdescribed herein and elsewhere. The storage medium associated with theprocessor for storing methods, programs, codes, program instructions, orother type of instructions capable of being executed by the computing orprocessing device may include but may not be limited to one or more of aCD-ROM, DVD, memory, hard disk, flash drive, RAM, ROM, cache, and thelike.

A processor may include one or more cores that may enhance speed andperformance of a multiprocessor. In embodiments, the process may be adual core processor, quad core processors, other chip-levelmultiprocessor and the like that combine two or more independent cores(called a die).

The methods and systems described herein may be deployed in part or inwhole through a machine that executes computer software on a server,client, firewall, gateway, hub, router, or other such computer and/ornetworking hardware. The software program may be associated with aserver that may include a file server, print server, domain server,internet server, intranet server, cloud server, and other variants suchas secondary server, host server, distributed server, and the like. Theserver may include one or more of memories, processors, computerreadable transitory and/or non-transitory media, storage media, ports(physical and virtual), communication devices, and interfaces capable ofaccessing other servers, clients, machines, and devices through a wiredor a wireless medium, and the like. The methods, programs, or codes asdescribed herein and elsewhere may be executed by the server. Inaddition, other devices required for execution of methods as describedin this application may be considered as a part of the infrastructureassociated with the server.

The server may provide an interface to other devices including, withoutlimitation, clients, other servers, printers, database servers, printservers, file servers, communication servers, distributed servers,social networks, and the like. Additionally, this coupling and/orconnection may facilitate remote execution of program across thenetwork. The networking of some or all of these devices may facilitateparallel processing of a program or method at one or more locationswithout deviating from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, any ofthe devices attached to the server through an interface may include atleast one storage medium capable of storing methods, programs, code,and/or instructions. A central repository may provide programinstructions to be executed on different devices. In thisimplementation, the remote repository may act as a storage medium forprogram code, instructions, and programs.

The software program may be associated with a client that may include afile client, print client, domain client, internet client, intranetclient, and other variants such as secondary client, host client,distributed client, and the like. The client may include one or more ofmemories, processors, computer readable transitory and/or non-transitorymedia, storage media, ports (physical and virtual), communicationdevices, and interfaces capable of accessing other clients, servers,machines, and devices through a wired or a wireless medium, and thelike. The methods, programs, or codes as described herein and elsewheremay be executed by the client. In addition, other devices required forexecution of methods as described in this application may be consideredas a part of the infrastructure associated with the client.

The client may provide an interface to other devices including, withoutlimitation, servers, other clients, printers, database servers, printservers, file servers, communication servers, distributed servers, andthe like. Additionally, this coupling and/or connection may facilitateremote execution of a program across the network. The networking of someor all of these devices may facilitate parallel processing of a programor method at one or more location without deviating from the scope ofthe disclosure. In addition, any of the devices attached to the clientthrough an interface may include at least one storage medium capable ofstoring methods, programs, applications, code, and/or instructions. Acentral repository may provide program instructions to be executed ondifferent devices. In this implementation, the remote repository may actas a storage medium for program code, instructions, and programs.

In embodiments, one or more of the controllers, circuits, systems, datacollectors, storage systems, network elements, or the like as describedthroughout this disclosure may be embodied in or on an integratedcircuit, such as an analog, digital, or mixed signal circuit, such as amicroprocessor, a programmable logic controller, an application-specificintegrated circuit, a field programmable gate array, or other circuit,such as embodied on one or more chips disposed on one or more circuitboards, such as to provide in hardware (with potentially acceleratedspeed, energy performance, input-output performance, or the like) one ormore of the functions described herein. This may include setting upcircuits with up to billions of logic gates, flip-flops, multiplexers,and other circuits in a small space, facilitating high speed processing,low power dissipation, and reduced manufacturing cost compared withboard-level integration. In embodiments, a digital IC, typically amicroprocessor, digital signal processor, microcontroller, or the likemay use Boolean algebra to process digital signals to embody complexlogic, such as involved in the circuits, controllers, and other systemsdescribed herein. In embodiments, a data collector, an expert system, astorage system, or the like may be embodied as a digital integratedcircuit (“IC”), such as a logic IC, memory chip, interface IC (e.g., alevel shifter, a serializer, a deserializer, and the like), a powermanagement IC and/or a programmable device; an analog integratedcircuit, such as a linear IC, RF IC, or the like, or a mixed signal IC,such as a data acquisition IC (including A/D converters, D/A converter,digital potentiometers) and/or a clock/timing IC.

The methods and systems described herein may be deployed in part or inwhole through network infrastructures. The network infrastructure mayinclude elements such as computing devices, servers, routers, hubs,firewalls, clients, personal computers, communication devices, routingdevices and other active and passive devices, modules and/or componentsas known in the art. The computing and/or non-computing device(s)associated with the network infrastructure may include, apart from othercomponents, a storage medium such as flash memory, buffer, stack, RAM,ROM, and the like. The processes, methods, program codes, instructionsdescribed herein and elsewhere may be executed by one or more of thenetwork infrastructural elements. The methods and systems describedherein may be configured for use with any kind of private, community, orhybrid cloud computing network or cloud computing environment, includingthose which involve features of software as a service (“SaaS”), platformas a service (“PaaS”), and/or infrastructure as a service (“IaaS”).

The methods, program codes, and instructions described herein andelsewhere may be implemented on a cellular network having multiplecells. The cellular network may either be frequency division multipleaccess (“FDMA”) network or code division multiple access (“CDMA”)network. The cellular network may include mobile devices, cell sites,base stations, repeaters, antennas, towers, and the like. The cellnetwork may be a GSM, GPRS, 3G, EVDO, mesh, or other networks types.

The methods, program codes, and instructions described herein andelsewhere may be implemented on or through mobile devices. The mobiledevices may include navigation devices, cell phones, mobile phones,mobile personal digital assistants, laptops, palmtops, netbooks, pagers,electronic books readers, music players and the like. These devices mayinclude, apart from other components, a storage medium such as a flashmemory, buffer, RAM, ROM and one or more computing devices. Thecomputing devices associated with mobile devices may be enabled toexecute program codes, methods, and instructions stored thereon.Alternatively, the mobile devices may be configured to executeinstructions in collaboration with other devices. The mobile devices maycommunicate with base stations interfaced with servers and configured toexecute program codes. The mobile devices may communicate on apeer-to-peer network, mesh network, or other communications network. Theprogram code may be stored on the storage medium associated with theserver and executed by a computing device embedded within the server.The base station may include a computing device and a storage medium.The storage device may store program codes and instructions executed bythe computing devices associated with the base station.

The computer software, program codes, and/or instructions may be storedand/or accessed on machine readable transitory and/or non-transitorymedia that may include: computer components, devices, and recordingmedia that retain digital data used for computing for some interval oftime; semiconductor storage known as random access memory (“RAM”); massstorage typically for more permanent storage, such as optical discs,forms of magnetic storage like hard disks, tapes, drums, cards and othertypes; processor registers, cache memory, volatile memory, non-volatilememory; optical storage such as CD, DVD; removable media such as flashmemory (e.g., USB sticks or keys), floppy disks, magnetic tape, papertape, punch cards, standalone RAM disks, zip drives, removable massstorage, off-line, and the like; other computer memory such as dynamicmemory, static memory, read/write storage, mutable storage, read only,random access, sequential access, location addressable, fileaddressable, content addressable, network attached storage, storage areanetwork, bar codes, magnetic ink, and the like.

The methods and systems described herein may transform physical and/oror intangible items from one state to another. The methods and systemsdescribed herein may also transform data representing physical and/orintangible items from one state to another.

The elements described and depicted herein, including in flow charts andblock diagrams throughout the Figures, imply logical boundaries betweenthe elements. However, according to software or hardware engineeringpractices, the depicted elements and the functions thereof may beimplemented on machines through computer executable transitory and/ornon-transitory media having a processor capable of executing programinstructions stored thereon as a monolithic software structure, asstandalone software modules, or as modules that employ externalroutines, code, services, and so forth, or any combination of these, andall such implementations may be within the scope of the presentdisclosure. Examples of such machines may include, but may not belimited to, personal digital assistants, laptops, personal computers,mobile phones, other handheld computing devices, medical equipment,wired or wireless communication devices, transducers, chips,calculators, satellites, tablet PCs, electronic books, gadgets,electronic devices, devices having artificial intelligence, computingdevices, networking equipment, servers, routers, and the like.Furthermore, the elements depicted in the flow chart and block diagramsor any other logical component may be implemented on a machine capableof executing program instructions. Thus, while the foregoing drawingsand descriptions set forth functional aspects of the disclosed systems,no particular arrangement of software for implementing these functionalaspects should be inferred from these descriptions unless explicitlystated or otherwise clear from the context. Similarly, it will beappreciated that the various steps identified and described above may bevaried, and that the order of steps may be adapted to particularapplications of the techniques disclosed herein. All such variations andmodifications are intended to fall within the scope of this disclosure.As such, the depiction and/or description of an order for various stepsshould not be understood to require a particular order of execution forthose steps, unless required by a particular application, or explicitlystated or otherwise clear from the context.

The methods and/or processes described above, and steps associatedtherewith, may be realized in hardware, software or any combination ofhardware and software suitable for a particular application. Thehardware may include a general-purpose computer and/or dedicatedcomputing device or specific computing device or particular aspect orcomponent of a specific computing device. The processes may be realizedin one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, embeddedmicrocontrollers, programmable digital signal processors or otherprogrammable device, along with internal and/or external memory. Theprocesses may also, or instead, be embodied in an application specificintegrated circuit, a programmable gate array, programmable array logic,or any other device or combination of devices that may be configured toprocess electronic signals. It will further be appreciated that one ormore of the processes may be realized as a computer executable codecapable of being executed on a machine-readable medium.

The computer executable code may be created using a structuredprogramming language such as C, an object oriented programming languagesuch as C++, or any other high-level or low-level programming language(including assembly languages, hardware description languages, anddatabase programming languages and technologies) that may be stored,compiled or interpreted to run on one of the above devices, as well asheterogeneous combinations of processors, processor architectures, orcombinations of different hardware and software, or any other machinecapable of executing program instructions.

Thus, in one aspect, methods described above and combinations thereofmay be embodied in computer executable code that, when executing on oneor more computing devices, performs the steps thereof. In anotheraspect, the methods may be embodied in systems that perform the stepsthereof, and may be distributed across devices in a number of ways, orall of the functionality may be integrated into a dedicated, standalonedevice or other hardware. In another aspect, the means for performingthe steps associated with the processes described above may include anyof the hardware and/or software described above. All such permutationsand combinations are intended to fall within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

While the disclosure has been disclosed in connection with the preferredembodiments shown and described in detail, various modifications andimprovements thereon will become readily apparent to those skilled inthe art. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the present disclosure isnot to be limited by the foregoing examples, but is to be understood inthe broadest sense allowable by law.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the disclosure (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing”are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, butnot limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of valuesherein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referringindividually to each separate value falling within the range, unlessotherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated intothe specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methodsdescribed herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwiseindicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The useof any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”)provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the disclosure,and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the disclosure unlessotherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construedas indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice ofthe disclosure.

While the foregoing written description enables one skilled in the artto make and use what is considered presently to be the best modethereof, those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate theexistence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specificembodiment, method, and examples herein. The disclosure should thereforenot be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples,but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of thedisclosure.

Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for”performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specifiedfunction, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause asspecified in 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). In particular, any use of “step of” inthe claims is not intended to invoke the provision of 35 U.S.C. §112(f).

Persons skilled in the art may appreciate that numerous designconfigurations may be possible to enjoy the functional benefits of theinventive systems. Thus, given the wide variety of configurations andarrangements of embodiments of the present invention, the scope of theinvention is reflected by the breadth of the claims below rather thannarrowed by the embodiments described above.

1. A rider safety compliance system, comprising: a physical lockmechanism securely mounted on a personal transport and mechanicallyadapted to lock and secure a helmet to the personal transport; and aprocessor adapted to release the helmet from the physical lock mechanismas a pre-determined action for allowing the user to activate thepersonal transport, wherein the personal transport's activation isfurther dependent on the helmet being physically removed from the lockor a user selection indicating that the user does not want to use thehelmet.
 2. The rider safety compliance system of claim 1, wherein theprocessor is in communication with a phone, wherein the phone has anapplication adapted to locate the personal transport, communicativelyconnect with the processor, and unlock the helmet to activate thepersonal transport for a ride.
 3. The rider safety compliance system ofclaim 2, wherein the application locates the personal transport throughan electronic triangulation location of the personal transport and thephone. 4-5. (canceled)
 6. The rider safety compliance system of claim 1,further comprising: a processor adapted to release the helmet from thephysical lock mechanism, wherein the user controls the processor througha software system that has granted permission to the user to activatethe personal transport for temporary use.
 7. The rider safety compliancesystem of claim 6, wherein the user receives a personal use code tounlock the helmet.
 8. The rider safety compliance system of claim 6,wherein the user unlocks the helmet through a ride-share softwareapplication operating on a personal communication system of the user. 9.The rider safety compliance system of claim 1, further comprising: asensor system on a helmet, wherein the sensor system is in communicationwith a processor; and the processor adapted to activate a personaltransport for riding by a user following receipt of sensor informationthat indicates that the helmet is being worn by the user.
 10. The ridersafety compliance system of claim 9, wherein the sensor system isadapted to be removably and replaceably mounted to the helmet by a userof the personal transport.
 11. The rider safety compliance system ofclaim 9, wherein the sensor system is securely mounted on the personaltransport in a location accessible to the user such that the user canremove the sensor system from the personal transport and secure thesensor system to the helmet.
 12. The rider safety compliance system ofclaim 11, wherein the sensor system is locked to the personal transportand the user unlocks the sensor system for use through a user interfaceon the personal transport.
 13. The rider safety compliance system ofclaim 11, wherein the sensor system is locked to the personal transportand the user unlocks the sensor system for use through a user interfaceon a phone.
 14. The rider safety compliance system of claim 10, whereinthe processor monitors the sensor system while the personal transport isactivated to monitor whether the user is wearing the helmet.
 15. Therider safety compliance system of claim 14, wherein the processorcommunicates data indicative of a helmet wearing status and wherein thedata is received at a server remote from the personal transport.
 16. Therider safety compliance system of claim 15, wherein the data is used togenerate a personal compliance profile of the user.
 17. The rider safetycompliance system of claim 16 wherein the personal compliance profiledetermines how to regulate the personal transport for the user.
 18. Therider safety compliance system of claim 17, wherein a maximum capablespeed of the personal transport is reduced if the personal complianceprofile indicates that the user has not worn the helmet in compliancewith a standard.
 19. The rider safety compliance system of claim 17,wherein the personal transport de-activates if the personal complianceprofile indicates that the user has not worn the helmet in compliancewith a standard.
 20. The rider safety compliance system of claim 17,wherein the regulation applies to a future ability of the user in usinga shared personal transport.
 21. The rider safety compliance system ofclaim 9, wherein the sensor system is further adapted to record dataindicative of an impact of the helmet with an object.
 22. The ridersafety compliance system of claim 9, wherein the processor causes analarm to activate on the personal transport in an event that dataindicates that user is not wearing the helmet. 23-51. (cancel)
 52. Therider safety compliance system of claim 1, wherein the lock secures thehelmet to the personal transport and activates the personal transportfor use in the event the user selection indicating that the user doesnot want to use the helmet.
 53. The rider safety compliance system ofclaim 1, further comprising a helmet sanitation system.
 54. The ridersafety compliance system of claim 53, wherein said sanitation systemcomprises a sanitary item dispenser mounted to the personal transportand at least one sanitary item comprising either an antimicrobial agentfor application to the helmet, or a sanitary shield for placementbetween the user's head and the helmet.
 55. The rider safety complianceof claim 54, wherein said sanitary item dispenser comprises a helmetclean wipes container, wherein the helmet clean wipes container containssanitary items comprising a plurality of clean wipes, such that a usercan remove a clean wipe from the helmet clean wipes container to cleanan inside of a sharable helmet.
 56. The rider safety compliance systemof claim 53, wherein said sanitation device comprises comprising ahelmet holder, wherein the helmet holder is mounted on the personaltransport and an irradiating source for irradiating a helmet held by thehelmet holder to deactivate microbes.